2016 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

2016Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

2016 Annual Catch Limits for Federally Managed Species (MUS) in American Samoa*

I‘a o le ilititai (bottomfish complex caught by bottomfish methods)

Filoa, gatala, malauli, palu & sapoanae (emperor, grouper, amberjack, snapper

& trevally or jack) ......................................................................................... 106,000

Meaola o le sami e faiuga (crustaceans)

Pa‘a (Kona crab).....................................................................................................3,200

Papata (slipper lobster) ...............................................................................................30

Ula or ula sami (spiny lobster) .................................................................................4,845

Ula (deep-water shrimp) ....................................................................................... 80,000

Amu taua (precious coral)

Amu auro (gold coral) .................................................................................................. 0

Amu piniki-mumu & amu ofe (red, pink & bamboo coral) ........................................... 2,205

Amu uliuli (black coral) ..............................................................................................790

Ikosite o le aau (coral reef ecosystem or CRE)

Alili, fe‘e & faisua (turbo snail, octopus & giant clam) .............................................. 18,400

‘Anae (mullet) .......................................................................................................4,600

Atule (bigeye scad) .............................................................................................. 37,400

Fuga (parrotfish, not including bumphead parrotfish) ............................................ 272,000

Gatala (groupers not caught by bottomfish methods) ............................................. 25,300

Sugale (wrasses except humphead or Napoleon wrasse) .......................................... 16,200

Lalafi, tagafa & malakea (<30cm, 30-75cm & >75cm humphead or Napoleon wrasse) ... 1,743

Lo- or Loloa (rabbitfish) ...............................................................................................163

Malau (soldierfish & squirrelfish) ........................................................................... 15,100

Malie (reef sharks) ................................................................................................. 1,615

Mata‘ele‘ele, ulamalusi or filoa (emperor not caught by bottomfish method) ............ 19,600

Nanue (chub or rudderfish) .....................................................................................2,000

Pa‘a (crab not listed in crustacean section) ...............................................................4,300

Mu (shallow-water snapper not caught by bottomfish method) ............................... 63,100

Pone, palagi or ume (surgeonfish not, bristletooth & unicornfish) .......................... 129,400

Lupo, melauli, ulua or sapoanae (trevally or jack not caught by bottomfish method) .. 19,900

Uluto‘i (bumphead parrotfish) ...................................................................................235

All other CREMUS combined ................................................................................. 18,400

* Species list with scientific names can be found at www.wpcouncil.org/

managed-fishery-ecosystems/annual-catch-limits/2015-2018-annual-catch-limits

About the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council was established by Congress in 1976 to manage fisheries in the offshore waters surrounding Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the U.S. Pacific remote island areas. The fisheries in federal waters surrounding American Samoa are managed under the American Samoa Archipelago and Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plans. Traditional knowledge and wide community involvement are integral parts of the ecosystem-based approach to fishery management. The 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that federally managed fisheries are regulated through annual catch limits (ACLs). ACLs are not specified for most pelagic species in the Western Pacific Region because they are subject to international fishing agreements or have life cycles of less than a year and are thus exempt from the ACL requirement.

A publication of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council pursuant to NOAA Award No. NA14NMF4520236.

Copyright 2015, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

ISBN 978-1-937863-87-6

Front cover art: Yeon Hee Lee, South Pacific Academy, First Place, Grades 6–8

About This CalendarThe Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has produced traditional lunar calendars for American Samoa since 2007. The initial productions were based on information from books written about Samoa by scholars such as Brother Henry, Kramer, Turner and Stair, as well as information collected by Talking Chief Teleiai Ausage. A more elaborate interview with Rev. Elder Oka Fauolo helped complete all the names of the moon phases, as well as the names of the months. When the 2009 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar was distributed, the community gave much positive feedback and also asked for definitions of Samoan terms used in the calendar. To improve on the lunar calendar, the WPRFMC convened a workshop on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa, in partnership with the Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) of the American Samoa Community College, American Samoa’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Office of Samoan Affairs. The workshop involved participants from other American Samoa organizations, fishermen, elders and members of the general public as well as the Apia Fisheries Division in the Independent State of Samoa.

This 2016 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar takes into account recommendations from the workshop as well as research conducted by Okenaisa Fauolo, Teleiai Ausage and Apisaloma Toleafoa of the SSI in 2010 with villagers throughout Tutuila as well as with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Samoa’s Fishery Division and Meteorological Office, and tautai (experts of the seas), including High Chief Mulipola Perenise of Manono Tai and High Talking Chief Levaa Sauaso of Apolima Tai, and High Chief Faasavalu, on the islands of Upolu and Manono in Samoa. The 2015 calendar also includes the annual catch limits for federally fisheries in American Samoa. The Council will continue to work with the American Samoa community to improve and enhance in future calendars.

The explanations of each lunar month in the calendar were provided by the SSI. Information on the local fish for each month was provided by Selaina Vaitautolu of the American Samoa DMWR and Fini Aitaoto, the former WPRFMC on-site coordinator in American Samoa. The proverbs are from Alaga‘upa Fa‘a Samoa II at http://scanman9.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/alagaupu2.htm and were selected by Nate Ilaoa, the WPRFMC on-site coordinator in American Samoa. The tide charts and moon rise and set times are for Pago Pago (Samoa standard time) provided by OceanFun Publishing, NZ. The moon phases were calculated using the HM Nautical Almanac Office (astro.ukho.gov.uk/websurf) as guidance. The project was coordinated by Ilaoa and Sylvia Spalding, WPRFMC communications officer.

The illustrations in the calendar are the winning entries of the student art contest held in American Samoa on the theme “Traditional Navigation, Seafaring and Fishing.” Teachers were encouraged to have their students prepare for the contest by reflecting on a set of questions that were provided and then watching interviews of four traditional navigators and seafarers available at https://vimeo.com/143950507. The complete interviews of each individual are available at http://www.wpcouncil.org/education-and-outreach/educational-videos-4/. Teachers were encouraged to explain their completed artwork to their classmates.

Judges for this year’s competition were Duffy Hudson, a renowned, local artist and tattooist and owner of Tatau Manaia art studio; Donald Lee Hoffman, the American Samoa Department of Education’s art coordinator in the Office of Curriculum; and Trevor Kaituu, a talented artist and the outreach coordinator for the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group housed in the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

Vaiausia Kruse, South Pacific Academy, Honorable Mention, Grades K–2

John Afalava, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Third Place, Grades 3–5

Fepuari 9 – Mati 8, 2016February 9 – March 8, 2016

Alogo (Lined surgeonfish)I‘a pito i ta‘atele i a‘au ma aloalo, faapea fagotagaAlogo is very common in near-shore reefs and is the most caught species by near-shore free divers.

Vaitau mulimuli e toe eli ai ufi vao.Final harvesting of wild yams. Toeutuva

Ua ‘ou seuseu ma le fata. [I am fishing because I have helped to make a fata.]

The tulavae is a portion of the fish net made by one person. All the tulavae made by asection of the village are joined into a fata. The fata forms the complete net. A person who has supplied a tulavae for the fata is entitled to take part in the fishing and to share in the catch. The saying means: I have the right to take part in the discussion.

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6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6

6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6 6 N 6

Masina MatuatuaMasina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

Masina To�lo�lo Masina Tolu

Masina Malupeaua Masina Māto�to� Masina Aiaina

Masina Faalao Masina Salefuga Masina Tulalupe Masina Motuega Masina Aufasa Masina Loloatai

Masina Punifaga Masina Atoa/Atoa Li‘o le Masina

Masina Le‘ale‘a Masina Feetetele Masina Ataatatai Masina Fagaeleele Masina Sulutele

Masina Nauna Masina UsunoaMay Masina Motusaga Masina Tatelega Masina Faasagafulu Masina Tāfaleu Masina Fataleu Masina Mitiloa Masina Maunā

Wallace Sola, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades 3–5

Mati 9 – Aperila 6, 2016March 9 – April 6, 2016

Filoa (Emperor fish)E tele ituaiga o lenei i‘a e maua i le tu‘tu‘u.Several species are caught by bottomfish gear and very common in bottomfish landings.

O le vaitau e foliga pula ai ufi ma laau. E amata toto ai toaga fou. The period when yams and crops’ leaves begin to turn yellowish in color. Also indicates time to grow new crops. Fa‘aafu

Ua tu‘u i tai le va‘a tele. [The big net has been spread out in the sea]

Va‘a tele (big boat) is used figuratively for ‘upega tele (big net) When a village is making a new net, the nearby villages are not allowed to fish for some time before its completion. They may resume fishing, however, a little while after the new net has been tried out for the first time.

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Seol Hee Lee, South Pacific Academy, Second Place, Grades 9–12

Aperila 7 – Me 6, 2016April 7 – May 6, 2016

Palu-malau (Red snapper fish) O se i‘a mumu e maua i le tu‘utu‘u ma e taugata pe a fa‘atau mai. Red and relatively expensive fish.

O le vaitau e ae ai le ia o le loMonth when the lo (rabbitfishes or large school of juveniles) is in large quantity and ideal for fishing. Lo

Fa‘atilotilo masae. [To look, like a fish, for a hole in the net.]

To search for resolution to a dilemma.

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Masina Atoa/Atoa Li‘o le Masina


Masina Nauna Masina UsunoaMay Masina Motusaga Masina Tatelega Masina Faasagafulu Masina Tāfaleu Masina Fataleu Masina Mitiloa Masina Fanoloa Masina Maunā

Masina Sulutele

Denira Siimalevai, Tafuna High School, Third Place, Grades 9–12

May 7 – June 4, 2016

Me 7 – Iuni 4, 2016

Sa‘ula-lele (Sailfish) E maua i le toso, e maua ai fo‘i fa‘ailoga i tauvaga faigafaiva.Caught by trolling and a prized fish during fishing tournaments.

O le masina e nunu ai le toau o ufi. O le tuaoi o timuga ma mugala. Month that cultivated yams are matured. Intermediary month between rainy and sunny season. Aununu

Le I‘a a tautai e alu i le fa‘alolo. [The fish seems to do the will of the tautai (chief fisherman).]

When the fish see an opening in the net, they swim to the place where the tautai stands as if they obeyed him. The tautai alone has the right to push down the net and catch the fish. The key to the proverb is obedience.

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AJ Sagapolutele, Pacific Horizons School, Second Place, Grades K–2

June 5 – July 4, 2016

Iuni 5 – Iulai 4, 2016

Atule (Bigeye scad)E maua i le ofe po‘o le lau a le nu‘u, ma sa fa‘asa ona fa‘aatau.Caught by bamboo rods, rod and reel or the village’s traditional “lau” and not supposed to be sold but shared.

O le vaitau e olo ma tausani fiafia ai manu felelei.Season of birds singing and calm weather. Oloamanu

O le va‘a si‘i vale la‘u lauga nei. [My speech is like a canoe launched without a sufficient reason.]

The matter on which I am now going to speak does not really concern me, and I am overstepping my rights in taking the word. However, as my opinion may be of some value to you, I will express it and, at the same time, beg your pardon for my tactless interference

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Masina Sulutele

Victor Chen, Pacific Horizons School, Second Place, Grades 6–8

July 5 – August 2, 2016

Iulai 5 – Aukuso 2, 2016

Umelei (Unicornfish)O le masina lenei e lololo tele ai ma manaia i le taumafa lenei i‘a. Caught by bamboo rods, rod and reel or the village’s traditional Fatty and delicious during this period.

Matalatala fuga o laau, pāpā foi o fatu laau. Initial period for budding of flowering seeds and the blooming of flowers. Palolomua

O le upega e fili i le po, ‘ae talatala i le ao. [The net that became entangled in the night will be disentangled in the morning.]

For a certain kind of night fishing the Samoans use a particular net called tapo. After the catch, the net is carried ashore and hung up. The following morning it is properly put in order. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes.

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Noel T. Tuitasi, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Second Place, Grades 3–5

August 3– 31, 2016

Aukuso 3–31, 2016

I‘amanu (Whale)E masani ona va‘ai i lenei vaitau.Sightings of whales common during this period.

Matalatala mulimuli o fuga o laau. Final budding of flowering seeds and blooming of flowers. Palolomuli

O le poto a lauloa. [The wisdom shows at lauloa fishing.]

Referring to a matai who has no vote in the village or family council and who yet insists on giving instruction and advice, which everyone will ignore. At lauloa fishing some men must mind the net lest it become entangled and tear in the stones and coral slabs, while the others are dragging it.

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Nina Bianca Vergara, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades 9–12

September 1– 30, 2016

Setema 1–30, 2016

Masimasi (Dolphinfish)E maua i le toso, e maua ai fa‘ailoga i tauvaga faigafaiva, ma e lelei i le oka. Caught by trolling, prized fish in tournaments and great for oka.

Vaitau o mugala. O le masina foi ua afu ai meatoto poo ua matutua lelei. Season of droughts and dry sunny days. Also the time when field crops are maturing.

Fa‘aui lau lavea. [To disentangle the coconut-leaf net.]

This is used of someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute.

Mulifa

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Masina Sulutele

Lyn Seok, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades K–2

October 1– 30, 2016

Oketopa 1–30, 2016

Palolo (polychaete worm)E taua tele i tagata matutua ma e ta ia Oketopa po‘o Novema i tausaga uma. Delicacy especially for the elderly, seined in October and/or November each year.

Amata le vaitau o timuga ma uaga. Beginning of the rainy season. Lotuaga

E ta‘ape a fatauati. [The collapse of the heap of stones.]

Fatauati (also known as pa i‘a) is a heap of stones erected under water in the lagoon to attract fish. When this contraption has been destroyed deliberately or otherwise, the fishermen will come to rebuild it.

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Masina Sulutele

Kaitlyn Gaisoa, Pacific Horizons School, Third Place, Grades K–2

October 31 – November 29, 2016

Oketopa 31 – Novema 29, 2016

Malau (Squirrelfish)E masani ona tele ma fa‘atau i tafaala i lenei vaitau.Many usually caught during this period, and “strings of malau” are sold at roadsides.

Taimi e tele ai mea taumafa, aemaise le maua o le ia o le palolo. Initial period of the season of food abundance, especially with the palolo fish. Taumafamua

A tulituliloa ‘ua o le mago i Foa? [Is he to be pursued like the shark of Foa?]

Once upon a time a mago (species of shark) and a pa‘itele (a sea monster about which little is known) had a fight. The mago fled towards Savai‘i followed by the pa‘itele. On the coast near Asau the shark crept into a submarine cave. The pa‘itele tried to follow, but it was so big that it got stuck. The mago escaped through a side opening. Later the shark went to Foa and proposed to Sinafalemoa, the daughter of the chief. As he was rejected, he died of grief. This is why he is known as the Shark of Foa. This is used when one is pursued by misfortune.

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Masina Sulutele

Joymer Caloyloy, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Honorable Mention, Grades 3–5

November 30, 2016 – December 28, 2016

Novema 30, 2016 – Tesema 28, 2016

Atu (Skipjack)O le i‘a e maua so‘o i le toso a‘o fa‘aaogaina paopao i aso anamua, e fa‘aaoga tele i le oka Samoa. The most common fish in trolling landings using “paopao” in the past and the preferred fish for oka.

Faaiuiu taumafa mai le masina ua tuanai.Final period of the season for food abundance. Toetaumafa

O le malie ma le tu‘u malie. [Every shark must be paid for.]

After the first shark is caught in a new boat, the owner receives a gift of food. This gift is known as tu‘u malie or payment for the shark. The saying refers to “retribution” in a good and in a bad sense.

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Leuiteouiono Lefaele, Alofau Elementary School, Third Place, Grades 6–8

Tesema 29, 2016– Ianuari 27, 2017December 29, 2016 – January 27, 2017

I‘asina (young goatfish)Masani ona tele i le vaitau o Oketopa–Aperila.Commonly caught during October–April.

Vaitau e eli ai ufi vao a o le‘i oo i le taimi e afu ai ufi totō.Initial harvesting of wild yams prior to the maturation of cultivated yams. Utuvamua

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Masina Sulutele

Amuia le masina, e alu ma toe sau. [That lucky moon gets to come back after it sets. ]

People are not so fortunate. We only get to pass through this life one time.

American Samoa Contacts

Council Vice Chair Taulapapa William SwordPhone: (684) 633-4101Email: [email protected]

Council Member Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia PoumelePhone: (684) 633-4251Email: [email protected]

Council Member Dr. Ruth Matagi-TofigaAmerican Samoa Department ofMarine and Wildlife ResourcesPhone: (684) 633-5102Email: [email protected]

Council On-Site Coordinator Nathan IlaoaPhone: (684) 252-3175Email: [email protected]

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400Honolulu, Hawaii 96813Phone: (808) 522-8220Fax: (808) 522-8226Email: [email protected] : www.wpcouncil.org

ISBN 978-1-937863-87-6

Jade Cox, Pacific Horizons School, Honorable Mention, Grades 6–8 Milton Tuatagaloa Toleafoa, Leone High School, Honorable Mention, Grades 9–12

Documents

2016 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar